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I remember my first day as a sophomore nursing student in Nursing Pharmacology.
To say I was lost is an understatement. It was like someone had dropped me off in
a completely foreign land with incomprehensible language.
When I entered nursing school the only real health care experience I had was
working as a transporter in a large hospital. Pharmacology was new to me and I
was terrified that I would never be able to grasp the lingo.
The good news was my study partner had actually attended pharmacy school in India before coming to the United States to study nursing.
The bad news was that Pharmacology makes up about 15% of the questions on the NCLEX® and I only had a semester to learn it!
The next few months were spent intently studying and taking practice exams.
During the course, I was taking countless practice exams, and I would jot down every medication that was tested. I also would jot down the fact about the specific medication or class that was being tested.
I created a book of the compilation of the 140 must-know meds for the NCLEX® and
Nursing Pharmacology. You can get it for free (just pay shipping) click below to claim.
In this blog post I will go over 14 of the most common nursing medications you will need to know for nursing school and the NextGen NCLEX . . . these medications were the most tested.
Alright, let's get started!
Oxytocin
Pitocin
Labor induction, postpartum bleeding
Stimulates uterine smooth muscle
Hormones
Oxytocics
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Mary, a 32-year-old, is admitted to the labor and delivery unit at 39 weeks of gestation. She is in active labor and progressing well. However, her labor has slowed down, and the healthcare team decides to initiate an intravenous infusion of Oxytocin to augment her contractions.
Levothyroxine
Levothroid
Thyroid hormone replacement in hypothyroidism
Replaces thyroid hormone, increasing metabolism, promotes gluconeogenesis,
stimulates protein synthesis, restores normal hormone balance, and suppresses
thyroid cancer.
Hormone
Thyroid preparations
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Tammy, a 38-year-old female, is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Her thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are significantly elevated, indicating an underactive thyroid gland. The healthcare team has prescribed Levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone, to supplement her thyroid hormone levels.
Gabapentin
Neurontin
Seizures, peripheral neuropathy, neuropathic pain, prevention of migraines
The exact method of action is unknown, may play a role in stabilizing neural membranes
Analgesic adjuncts, therapeutic, anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers
None
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Sarah, a 65-year-old woman, is admitted to the neurology unit with a diagnosis of neuropathic pain related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The healthcare team has prescribed Gabapentin, an antiepileptic medication commonly used for neuropathic pain management.
Metformin
Glucophage
Management of Type II DM, PCOS
It decreases glucose production in the liver decreases absorption, and increases cellular insulin sensitivity
Antidiabetic
Biguanide
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Jane, a 50-year-old woman, is admitted to the medical unit with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The healthcare team has prescribed Metformin, an oral antidiabetic medication, to help manage her blood sugar levels.
Digoxin
Lanoxin
CHF, AFib, A-flutter
Positive inotropic effect (increases the force of myocardial contraction), prolongs
refractory period, ↓ conduction through SA and AV nodes. Essentially digoxin is
given to increase cardiac output and slow the rate.
Antiarrhythmic, inotropic
Digitalis glycosides
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Mark, a 70-year-old male, is admitted to the cardiac care unit with a diagnosis of heart failure. He has a history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation. The healthcare team has prescribed Digoxin to manage his heart failure symptoms and control his heart rate.
Fentanyl
Sublimaze
Supplement to general anesthesia, continuous IV infusions for the purpose of analgesia
Binds to opiate receptors in CNS altering the perception of pain, producing CNS
depression
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid agonists
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Lisa, a 45-year-old woman, is admitted to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following abdominal surgery. The healthcare team administered Fentanyl, a potent opioid analgesic, to manage her postoperative pain during the surgical procedure.
Epinephrine
Adrenalin, EpiPen
Asthma and COPD exacerbations, allergic reactions, cardiac arrest, anesthesia adjunct
Affects both beta1 and beta2 and also has alpha agonist properties resulting in bronchodilation and increases in HR and BP. Inhibits hypersensitivity reactions.
Antiasthmatic, a bronchodilator, vasopressor
Adrenergic agonist
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John, a 60-year-old male, is brought to the emergency department with symptoms of anaphylaxis after being stung by a bee. The healthcare team administers Epinephrine, a medication used to treat severe allergic reactions, manage his symptoms, and stabilize his condition.
Heparin
Hep-Lock
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment, the low dose used to ensure
patency of IV catheters
Increases the inhibitory effect of antithrombin on factor Xa
Anticoagulant
Antithrombotic
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Sarah, a 65-year-old female, is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in her left leg. The healthcare team has prescribed Heparin, an anticoagulant, to prevent further clot formation and promote clot dissolution.
Warfarin
Coumadin
Venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, AFib, myocardial infarction
Disrupts liver synthesis of Vitamin K dependent clotting factors
Anticoagulant
Coumarins
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Emily, a 55-year-old female, is admitted to the cardiology unit with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. The healthcare team has prescribed Warfarin, an oral anticoagulant, to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of stroke.
Insulin regular
Humulin R/Novolin R
Hyperglycemia with diabetes type 1 and 2, diabetic ketoacidosis
Stimulates uptake of glucose into muscle and fat cells inhibits production of glucose in the liver, prevents the breakdown of fat and protein
| Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
| Subcutaneous | 30-45 min | 1.5-2.5h | 4.5-6h |
Antidiabetics, hormones
Pancreatics
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Alex, a 35-year-old male with type 1 diabetes, is admitted to the hospital with hyperglycemia. The healthcare team has prescribed short-acting insulin to manage his blood glucose levels.
Short-acting insulin is used to rapidly lower blood glucose levels after meals in individuals with diabetes.
Insulin NPH
Humulin N, Novolin N
Hyperglycemia with diabetes type 1 and 2, diabetic ketoacidosis
Stimulates uptake of glucose into muscle and fat cells inhibits the production of glucose in the liver, prevents the breakdown of fat and protein
| Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
| Subcutaneous | 1-2 hr | 4-12 hr | 18-24 hr |
Antidiabetics, hormones
Pancreatics
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Sarah, a 50-year-old female with type 2 diabetes, is admitted to the medical-surgical unit for uncontrolled blood glucose levels. The healthcare team has prescribed intermediate-acting insulin to manage her diabetes.
Intermediate-acting insulin is used to provide basal insulin coverage and help regulate blood glucose levels between meals and overnight in individuals with diabetes.
Insulin detemir, Insulin glargine
Levemir, Lantus
Hyperglycemia with diabetes type 1 and 2, diabetic ketoacidosis
Stimulates uptake of glucose into muscle and fat cells inhibits production of glucose in the liver, prevents the breakdown of fat and protein
| Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
| Detemir | 3-4 hr | 3-14 hr | 24 hour |
| Glargine | 3-4 hr | none | 24 hour |
Antidiabetics, hormones
Pancreatics
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Michael, a 65-year-old male with type 2 diabetes, is admitted to the hospital with poorly controlled blood glucose levels. The healthcare team has prescribed long-acting insulin to manage his diabetes.
Long-acting insulin is used to provide a consistent background level of insulin throughout the day, helping to maintain stable blood glucose levels between meals and during periods of fasting in individuals with diabetes.
Insulin aspart, Insulin lispro, Insulin glulisine
Novolog, humalog, apidra
Hyperglycemia with diabetes type 1 and 2, diabetic ketoacidosis
Stimulates uptake of glucose into muscle and fat cells inhibits production of glucose in the liver, prevents the breakdown of fat and protein
| Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
| Aspart | 10-20 min | 1-3 hr | 3-5 hr |
| Glulisine | 15 min | 1 hr | 2-4 hr |
| Lispro | 15 min | 1-1.5 hr | 3-4 hr |
Antidiabetics, hormones
Pancreatics
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Jessica, a 40-year-old female with type 1 diabetes, is admitted to the hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The healthcare team has prescribed rapid-acting insulin to manage her blood glucose levels.
A rapid-acting insulin is typically used to control blood glucose levels during mealtime or to correct high blood sugar levels.
Albuterol
Proventil
Bronchodilators used to prevent airway obstruction in asthma and COPD
Binds to Beta2 adrenergic receptors in the airway leading to relaxation of the
smooth muscles in the airways
Bronchodilator
Adrenergic
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Sarah, a 35-year-old female with a history of asthma, presents to the emergency department with acute shortness of breath and wheezing. The healthcare team has prescribed albuterol to relieve her bronchospasm and improve her breathing.
That's it! You made it through 14 must-know meds for nursing school and the NextGen NCLEX!
If you want the entire 140 Must Know Meds book, do not forget to grab your free copy (just pay to ship) today!
Remember, medication administration is a significant responsibility for nurses, and it requires a thorough understanding of each medication's implications. Continuously study and review these medications, as they are commonly encountered in various healthcare settings.
By familiarizing yourself with these essential medications, you will enhance your clinical decision-making skills, improve patient outcomes, and increase your confidence as a nurse.
You Can Do This!
Happy Nursing!